Florian Arbenz

Only a piano trio? Whoever tries to get behind the mystery of the brothers Michael Arbenz and Florian Arbenz as well as the bassist Thomas Lähns with this question has not understood the principle of VEIN yet. The cheerful band concept from Switzerland has always been more than that: a sound surface for provocative color combinations, a testing laboratory of modern music, a vehicle for mutual inspiration, as impressively evidenced by a number of high-profile collaborations with prominent guest musicians such as Greg Osby and Glenn Ferris. As if the three had not already ascended to seemingly unattainable heights with their unorthodox laboratory work on the pieces of the classical composer Maurice Ravel (“VEIN Plays Ravel”; DMCHR 71179), the 13th CD announces another great achievement in which one can take the title literally.

With Convergence, Swiss drummer Florian Arbenz brings together musicians from Cuba, Brazil, Australia & UK to perform music deeply rooted in jazz.

Philippe Mall's "Hydra" presents itself in a new, high-profile cast, almost all of the members come from the Basel area. They play only originals by Philippe Mall. The sound gives all four elements plenty of room to unfold their own voice. The vibraphone. in its dual function as a solo and accompaniment instrument plays a very special role. Sometimes earthy jazz comes about, then again there is a lot of room for harmonious, even esoteric sounds. All this mixes into a homogenous body of sound that makes the band unique. The five instruments act like the heads of the Hydra. Sometimes one is missing and already this creates a new structure. A change of sound and dynamics.